Dark Command (1940)

  • NR
  • 04/15/1940 (US)
  • Drama, Romance, Western
  • 1h 34m

A drama of undying love.

Overview

When transplanted Texan Bob Seton arrives in Lawrence, Kansas he finds much to like about the place, especially Mary McCloud, daughter of the local banker. Politics is in the air however. It's just prior to the civil war and there is already a sharp division in the Territory as to whether it will remain slave-free. When he gets the opportunity to run for marshal, Seton finds himself running against the respected local schoolteacher, William Cantrell. Not is what it seems however. While acting as the upstanding citizen in public, Cantrell is dangerously ambitious and is prepared to do anything to make his mark, and his fortune, on the Territory. When he loses the race for marshal, he forms a group of raiders who run guns into the territory and rob and terrorize settlers throughout the territory. Eventually donning Confederate uniforms, it is left to Seton and the good citizens of Lawrence to face Cantrell and his raiders in one final clash.

Raoul Walsh

Director

W.R. Burnett

Novel

F. Hugh Herbert

Screenplay

Grover Jones

Screenplay

Lionel Houser

Screenplay

Cast

Claire Trevor's headshot

Claire Trevor

Miss Mary McCloud
John Wayne's headshot

John Wayne

Bob Seton
Walter Pidgeon's headshot

Walter Pidgeon

William 'Will' Cantrell
Roy Rogers's headshot

Roy Rogers

Fletcher 'Fletch' McCloud
George 'Gabby' Hayes's headshot

George 'Gabby' Hayes

Andrew 'Doc' Grunch
Porter Hall's headshot

Porter Hall

Angus McCloud
Marjorie Main's headshot

Marjorie Main

Mrs. Cantrell / Mrs. Adams
Raymond Walburn's headshot

Raymond Walburn

Judge Buckner

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